Isabella's Window

Isabella inherited the estates of her husband, William de Fortibus in 1260 at the age of 23. Two years later her brother, Baldwin de Redvers, died and she inherited his lands in the Isle of Wight, Hampshire and Devon. This meant that by her 26th birthday she had become one of the great landowners in England of her day. It was unusual at that time for a woman to hold such great power and in order to maintain and enforce her rights Isabella became fiercely litigious.

Many or her records survive, giving an exceptionally clear picture of the work she did at Carisbrooke. She made the castle her main residednce and the administrative headquarters of her southern estates. She began by reordering the principal apartments of the castle. At one end of the hall she added the chapel of St. Peter. At the other, northern end, she added a great chamber for herself, with windows looking out across the Island.

Thanks for your time.
Regards - Sarah x